Richard Sterban, the Oak Ridge Boys bass voice behind 'Elvira,' dies at 83

NASHVILLE (Nov. 14) — Richard Sterban, whose deep bass voice anchored the Oak Ridge Boys for more than five decades and delivered the "oom poppa mow mow" hook on "Elvira," died Saturday in Hendersonville, Tennessee, Deadline reported. He was 83.

His family and the band said he died of complications from bronchitis and pneumonia "after fighting a long, hard battle with cancer." Sterban had announced a pancreatic cancer diagnosis in March 2025, Pollstar reported.

"We appreciate all of your love, support, and prayers," his family said in a statement. "Please continue to lift us up in this difficult time, we find comfort knowing that he is currently face to face with Jesus."

Born April 24, 1943, in Camden, New Jersey, Sterban started singing as a soprano in Sunday school. He was backing Elvis Presley on tour with J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet when he left in 1972 to join the Oak Ridge Boys alongside lead singer Duane Allen, baritone William Lee Golden and tenor Joe Bonsall. "I wanted to be in the best vocal group in the world," he once said.

The quartet carried its Southern gospel roots into country and pop, placing 34 singles in the country Top 10, 17 of them at No. 1, WKRN reported. Its 1981 cover of "Elvira" went to No. 1 on the country chart and No. 5 on the pop chart, sold more than 2 million copies and won a Grammy, according to Deadline. The group joined the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015.

Sterban stepped away from touring in May 2025 because of his health but rejoined the group at the Grand Ole Opry in January to sing "Elvira." He had called Hendersonville home for more than 50 years, and the city dedicated an Oak Ridge Boys bridge there in October 2025, WKRN reported. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

The Country Music Association said Sterban's bass "not only defined the sound of the Oak Ridge Boys, but also brought warmth, soul, and character to every performance."